AYUSH medicine distribution to health centres held up due to funding delays: Minister
Vikram Sharma
JAMMU: The government has clarified that monthly incentives for Multi-Purpose Health Workers (MLHPs) and Community Health Officers (CHOs) are being paid based on their performance against specific indicators. These incentives are not considered part of their regular salary.
The government emphasized that when funds for the incentive component are received from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, they are promptly distributed to the eligible National Health Mission (NHM) employees, including MLHPs and CHOs, following the due legal procedures and guidelines.
This clarification was in response to a question raised by BJP MLA Shakti Raj Parihar, who asked about the delays in the disbursement of these incentives. Parihar had suggested that these incentives should be integrated into the monthly salary of MLHPs and CHOs, and questioned the steps being taken to resolve the issue.
The Minister in charge of Health and Medical Education explained that the disbursements are linked to performance and are not part of the regular salary package, with a structured process in place for their release once funds are made available by the central government.
In addition, the Minister addressed concerns regarding the distribution of AYUSH medicines to Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB HWCs). The government had projected Rs 447.50 lakh for the supply of AYUSH medicines in the State Annual Action Plan (SAAP) for the financial year 2024-25, with an allocation of Rs 0.50 lakh per AB HWC.
This projection was approved by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. However, the funds for this allocation have not yet been released for the current year. The government has also projected the same amount for the 2025-26 financial year under the National AYUSH Mission (NAM). The Minister assured that once the approval is granted and funds are released by the Ministry of AYUSH, the medicines will be distributed to the health centres in line with the prescribed guidelines.
Further responding to questions about the number of employees engaged under NHM in Jammu and Kashmir, the Minister disclosed that a total of 10,866 employees from various categories have been hired by the mission as of December 2024. NHM operates under the guidance of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and functions as a centrally sponsored scheme.
Employees under NHM are hired on one-year contracts, with the option for renewal based on their performance. Any policy decisions related to the regularization of services or other benefits for these employees must comply with the guidelines and policies set by the Government of India.
The Minister also provided clarification on the remuneration paid to NHM employees. He stated that all contractual employees across various categories are compensated according to the approved guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Any disparities in remuneration, he added, are due to the framework set by the Government of India, ensuring alignment with their established policies for salary and benefits.
